LIV Golf suffers brutal hammer blow as Jon Rahm finally confirms he's leaving
LIV Golf suffers brutal hammer blow as Jon Rahm finally confirms he's leaving
Matthew Neschis Wed, October 7, 2026 at 4:55 PM UTC
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Jon Rahm confirmed that he will be leaving LIV Golf -Credit:Getty Images
It hasn't taken long for LIV Golf 2.0 to be dealt a major setback after Jon Rahm confirmed that he would not be returning to the rival circuit.
During Wednesday's LIV Golf Chapter 11 bankruptcy hearing in New Jersey, Rahm's lawyer shared that his client has "independently reviewed the proposed terms of LIV 2.0 ... and has determined that those terms are unacceptable to him, and he will be not be participating going forward," per Front Office Sports' David Rumsey. Last month, the 31-year-old admitted he had minimal involvement in shaping the second iteration of the league while expressing little interest in engaging with "the politics of this game."
Back in April, LIV Golf revealed that the Saudi Public Investment Fund — which invested over $5 billion into the tour — would cease its financial support once the 2026 season wrapped up. After an extended search for new capital, commissioner Scott O'Neil announced that the organization had obtained a term sheet with an investor ready to spearhead a "LIV 2.0" alongside other potential minority stakeholders. It comes after Vanessa Trump hit Tiger Woods with a deal-breaker in a foul-mouthed ultimatum.
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On Sept. 8, LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and secured a restructuring support agreement that would see the rival tour become "majority owned by players."
A U.S. bankruptcy court later granted the organization interim approval of its first-day Chapter 11 motions, allowing it to borrow $14 million through debtor-in-possession financing.
Regarding what LIV Golf's next phase might entail, O'Neil stressed that the league would concentrate on a sustainable business model, enhanced coordination between players and leadership, and team golf as its foundation.
O'Neil also indicated substantial changes to tournament formats, including expanding the field to 75 players and introducing a cut. Prospective members of the alternative circuit will have more pathways to entry than before, thanks to Monday qualifiers.
Rahm admitted that he played a little role in shaping LIV Golf 2.0 -Credit:Getty Images
It now appears as though the proposed changes did not meet Rahm's standards. Speaking to reporters at the BMW PGA Championship, the Spaniard conceded that he had little input in the sweeping changes expected to come with LIV 2.0.
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"I think some players have had more involvement than others. I think some people have wanted to be more involved than others," he said at the time. "If there's anything I've learned the last, I would say, five, six years, it's that I don't know if I'm meant to be involved in the politics of this game.
"I don't think I'm suited for that line of work. Luckily, I'm good at hitting a golf ball, and I think that's what I should be sticking to. But I haven't really been involved in that. Some players have. Obviously, we all know Bryson has been quite involved."
Under LIV Golf's recent bankruptcy filing, all current player contracts will be nullified, with the courts determining the final payments owed to players and other creditors.
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According to The Financial Times, Rahm topped the list of unsecured creditors, with LIV Golf owing him a staggering $7.5 million. Bryson DeChambeau follows closely with $5.8 million owed to him, trailed by Dustin Johnson ($5.5 million), Cameron Smith ($4.84 million), and Tyrrell Hatton ($3.3 million).
While Rahm previously informed BBC Sport that he was "more than willing to fulfill" his contract with LIV 1.0, he remained tight-lipped about his decision to stay with the circuit.
"Well, there's a long legal process they have to go through before a lot of things fall into place," the 2023 Masters champion said on Sept. 15. "I really can't give you an answer right now.
"Like I said, I'm very close to expecting our fourth [child]. Hopefully playing good this week, and at the end of the year, whether we play in Abu Dhabi, Dubai or elsewhere, so until this current season is done, I really won't be able to give you an answer."
Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler's wife "wanted to cry" after a Presidents Cup gesture.
Source: “AOL Money”
